Sports Betting Law in Turkey
Overview of sports betting in Turkey
The influence of Islamic culture and religion is also reflected in the country's laws regarding gambling and sports betting in Turkey. Years ago, there was a fairly extensive network of casinos and gambling in Turkey. But in recent years the local government has banned almost all forms of gambling, both online and physical. Only a few state-controlled companies operate in the market.
However for all citizens living in Turkey there is a solution. Many well-known international operators welcome players from Turkish territory.
In 2007 the new legislation dealt the final blow to the online activity of gambling companies. Nowadays the only legal online option where Turkish citizens can play online gambling and betting is called IDDA. It is a state-owned organization, the only one of its kind, which is responsible for any form of online gambling offered to Turkish citizens.
Penalties in case of violation of the law
Unlike other countries, Turkey also severely punishes players who play illegally on foreign sites. In other European countries, the consequences of breaking the law are usually suffered by operators caught serving irregularly or without a license, and not players. But apparently this is not the case with the Turkish state, so be careful.
What is the minimum age to play gambling in Turkey?
You must also respect the minimum age to gamble online. In Turkey this age is 18 years old, and any violation of it is also punishable by law. To date, cases where individuals have been convicted of gambling illegally have been few. But again, we advise you to be vigilant!
What are the best sports betting apps and sites in Turkey?
In addition to the local company IDDAA, there are several foreign operators who accept players from Turkish territories. However, as we said before, these operators are considered illegal, so you have to be careful. Some of the foreign sports betting platforms and applications in Turkey are:
- 22bet Sportsbook
- Sports books
- Megapari Sportsbook
- Betwinner Sportsbook
- Melbet Sportsbook
- Come On! Sports
- William Hill Sports
What are the best online casinos?
Turkish players can try their luck at some of the most prestigious online casinos in the world. Although there are many legal restrictions, some of these operators also offer the possibility of payments in local currency (Turkish lira). The most rated online casinos by players in Turkey are:
IDDAA options for players
Although the situation is no longer ideal in terms of competition and options for consumers, the state-owned company IDDAA offers some very interesting alternatives for online gaming enthusiasts. Among them you will find sports betting on football, basketball and volleyball. Horse racing is also quite popular in Turkey. This has made betting about them legal.
As for "crypto" currencies, such as bitcoin, they are not supported by IDDAA, although some companies in Turkey belonging to other industries accept them as a payment method.
Read more: How to deposit bitcoin on betting sites?
The future of law
The future regarding online betting and gambling laws in Turkey still seems unclear. Given that one of the country's objectives is to integrate into the European Union, the attitudes of the government may be forced to change. This is to follow the open market and free competition policy that the EU supports.
Anyway, with pages like Paypal or Ukash enabling online money transfers, Turkish citizens have managed to find their alternative forms of online entertainment. Sanctions on national banks in the country have not stopped this either.
In conclusion, the Turkish government has done a pretty good job of stopping the negative effects of online gambling. However, much work is still needed in terms of market opening and free competition.
The latest news
The biggest dilemma for players in Turkey these days is the fate of foreign operators operating in the country. The ruling party, "AK Party" has introduced several times another amendment that provides for the exclusion and banning of sites of foreign companies operating in the country.
Recall that the Turkish authorities have banned several times and other quite popular sites in the country, as well Wikipedia and YouTube. This effort of the Turkish government came as a result of the increase of online gambling figures in Turkey, as a direct consequence of the COVID 19. pandemic XNUMX. Some of the websites of foreign operators have since been blocked by the Turkish government.
At this point, the future of these operators remains unclear. One can only hope that Turkish players continue to have as many options as possible to have fun and try their luck.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the income from gambling in Turkey?
In 2018, according to official data, a total of $ 853 million in revenue was generated in Turkey from the gambling industry.
Where can I place online sports betting in Turkey?
In Turkey you have two main opportunities to place sports bets. The first option is the state-owned company IDDAA. The second option is foreign operators. Among them we can mention:
22bet Sportsbook
Sports books
Megapari Sportsbook
Betwinner Sportsbook
Melbet Sportsbook
Come On! Sports
William Hill Sports
What is the minimum age to play gambling in Turkey?
The minimum age to play games of chance in Turkey is 18 years old. This age is valid for casinos (online and traditional), sports betting, lotteries and any other game. We remind you again that despite the fact that the punishment cases have been few, the minimum age criterion is strictly applied by the Turkish law enforcement authorities.
Am I punished if I get caught playing on offshore sites?
Unlike other countries, Turkey is stricter in terms of legislation on offshore operators. You can try your luck at these companies, but if you get caught playing, the penalties provided are serious and go as far as jail time.
Best Online Sportsbooks in Turkey
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
Registration bonus 100% up to 100 EUR! The bonus is offered only to new players who register on the platform!
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of using the bonus are determined by the company and may be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of using the bonus are determined by the company and may be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus. Signup bonus 100% up to 500 EUR! The bonus is only available to new players who register on the platform!
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
Only for new registrants
The terms and conditions of use of the bonus are determined by the company and can be changed at any time. Always check the bonus rules before playing with the bonus.
